stan bowles
Well-Known Member
Just a shame how little they raced against each other in their peak years. Only really the 1980 Olympics as, by 1984, Ovett had declined.
If you haven't watched the video i linked in the OP you will see that Ovett shunned the media and didnt want to bother with journalists - where as Coe was happy to do so. Coe says it wasnt a deliberate ploy to be on the media as much as he was its because Ovett didnt want to bother that he then got all the media attention simply because he was accessible.Steve ovett for me. I liked his simple approach, it was just him, no science and supplements. No assistance or team behind him as such.
Coe seemed to have a lot of backing, a lot of support especially from the media and people in the higher echelons of society. He got a lot of coverage.
I mean look at where they are now, one of them is a politician and statesmen and the other just lived a humble life.
Then Cram came along and it all got even better.
From memory, Ovett smashed his legs up on some railings, whilst training for LA84, and was basically fucked thereafter. Add to this him catching bronchitis whilst at the games, decline was inevitableJust a shame how little they raced against each other in their peak years. Only really the 1980 Olympics as, by 1984, Ovett had declined.